What is in UPSC Mains
The merit list counts seven papers of 250 marks: the Essay, four General Studies papers and two optional papers. This page has every GS and Essay question from 2013 to 2025, 1,066 in all, paper by paper and year by year. Each one links to the practice bank, where you can write it against the clock, and to topper answers where the bank has them.
By paper
GS Paper 1 PYQs
270 questions since 2013, year wise.
GS Paper 2 PYQs
265 questions since 2013, year wise.
GS Paper 3 PYQs
265 questions since 2013, year wise.
GS Paper 4 (Ethics) PYQs
166 questions since 2013, year wise.
Essay paper PYQs
100 questions since 2013, year wise.
By year
| Year | GS1 | GS2 | GS3 | GS4 Ethics | Essay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2024 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2023 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2022 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2021 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2020 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2018 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2017 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| 2014 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| 2013 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 14 | 4 |
How to use Mains PYQs
- Write, don’t read. A question you have only read is not practised. Write two a day by hand, timed: about 7 minutes for a 10-marker, 11 for a 15-marker.
- Answer the directive. “Discuss” and “critically examine” ask for different answers; see directive words explained.
- Check against a scoring answer. Put yours beside a topper’s on the same kind of question; the gap is the lesson.
Questions
How many questions are there in each UPSC Mains GS paper?
Since 2017, GS1, GS2 and GS3 each have 20 compulsory questions for 250 marks: ten of 10 marks (150 words) and ten of 15 marks (250 words). From 2014 to 2016 it was 20 questions of 12.5 marks (200 words); 2013 had 25 of 10 marks. GS4 has had 12 since 2018, with case studies in Section B.
Where can I practise Mains PYQs for free?
In the practice bank: all of them, with a question of the day and an exam-pace timer. Writing is free with no sign-in.
Can I get my Mains answer evaluated?
Yes. Photograph your handwritten answer and writeupsc compares it with real topper answers to the closest questions. The first evaluation is free.
Write one, then get it checked.
Write by hand against the clock in the practice bank, then photograph the page: writeupsc puts it beside real topper answers. 1 free evaluation.